Celebrating One Year of Gallery & Bakery Tokyo with Erika Naka's Exhibition

Gallery & Bakery Tokyo's First Anniversary Exhibition

From October 18 to November 18, 2025, the Gallery & Bakery Tokyo will hold a special exhibition titled "Dullness and Recovery" featuring new works by the talented artist, Erika Naka. Hosted by The Chain Museum, located in Tokyo's Kyobashi district, this exhibition marks the one-year anniversary of the gallery's opening.

This exhibition is described as Erika Naka's most significant solo display in Japan to date. It will showcase a fascinating range of new artworks that combine large scale pieces with a series of unique collections. In conjunction with the exhibition, exclusive merchandise will also be available for purchase, adding extra excitement for attendees. The gallery is eager to welcome visitors and hopes that everyone will come to appreciate Naka's innovative approach to art.

Artwork and Sales Details

The exhibited artworks will be available for purchase through an entry system. Interested buyers can register for artwork from October 17, 2025, at 5 PM until November 18, 2025, at 11 PM. For those curious about pricing, a price list will be provided upon request as soon as it's finalized.

Exhibition Overview

Erika Naka hails from Komoro City in Nagano, Japan. Her work explores the broken fragments of symbols found in modern society, reinterpreting and reconstructing them through her painting, questioning both their synchronous and diachronic meanings. The thick layers of acrylic paint she applies often defy her expectations, resulting in an inevitable "slippage" between the paint and its support, crystallizing the visual representation of the inherent chance and ambiguity of symbols.

Naka has been actively presenting her works both domestically and internationally, receiving accolades such as the CAF Shiraishi Masami Award in 2018 and being shortlisted for Wonderseed in 2017.

Concept Behind the Exhibition

In crafting the pieces for this exhibition, Naka began with a long cyan painting. During the creation of another piece, she spent time observing red paint, which led her to a deeper appreciation of the cyan work hanging on her wall. Noticing that the colors appeared more vivid than before, she learned about color adaptation—how our perception dulls over time. This realization sparked her thoughts about how we often overlook the value of the familiar elements in our lives. By distancing ourselves from these elements, their significance may become more apparent.

Naka reflects that her motifs are entrenched in contemporary symbols. She anticipates that a true appreciation of her work will come in the future when our sensitivity and perspective are rejuvenated.

Special Merchandise

To celebrate this exhibition, Naka has created a series of unique, handmade stickers titled "Erika Naka × ArtSticker - Sticker Collection". These stickers will only be available at the Gallery & Bakery Tokyo and come in six distinctive designs, each concealed within capsule toys—making it a delightful surprise for collectors! The price for a random sticker is 500 yen (tax included). They can be purchased at the café's register.

Artist Biography
Erika Naka's artistic practice revolves around harrowing the fragmented symbols of modern life into a visual language. The thick application of paint allows for unforeseen movements that foster a "slippage" between the artist and the medium. Naka is committed to exploring the potential of painting and breaking traditional forms by emphasizing "ephemerality" and "chance". The rich textures and gradients she creates engage viewers deeply, invoking curiosity and imagination.

Exhibition Information
Dates: October 18 (Sat) - November 18 (Tue), 2025
Reception: October 17 (Fri) from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Location: Gallery & Bakery Tokyo, 1-7-1 Kyobashi, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0031
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM, open daily
Admission: Free
Access: A 3-minute walk from Kyobashi Station (Ginza Line) Exit 6; a 5-minute walk from Nihonbashi Station (Ginza Line) Exit B1; an 8-minute walk from Tokyo Station (Yaesu Central Exit).

Through this event, Gallery & Bakery Tokyo, a production by The Chain Museum and THE CITY BAKERY, aims to provide a vibrant space for art and culture at the heart of Tokyo, facilitating an interactive experience where attendees can enjoy art, food, and meaningful dialogue.

For more details, follow Gallery & Bakery Tokyo on Instagram (@tokyo8min) and visit The Chain Museum’s official website.